DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
Skull Isle
HTML https://skullisland.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: High Captain Song
*****************************************************
#Post#: 285--------------------------------------------------
Meeting with Rhae
By: High Captain Song Date: February 4, 2024, 4:48 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
The Players
High Captain Song
Rhae of Asgeir
The Setting
The Marketplace Cafe
Frode
It is true that the High Captain Song is blessed with a team of
skilled slaves to run his shop in his absence. It is also true
that High Captain Song is rarely found at the shop he co-owns
with his Mate, but this is less to do with the slaves managing
the work and more to do with his own personality. In his youth,
Frode was meant to take over his father's business - tending the
trading post for their small village. But the call to adventure
and the lure of songs and stories outweighed his sense of
responsibility. So he ventured forth from that Northern village
into the South, and traveled more of Gor than most men dared.
That sense of daring and more than a few ill-advised gambles
wound up winning him (in order) a mate, a ship, and a position
on the Captain's Council. Though he spends even less time
attending to the Council's business than he does tending his
stores. In his heart of hearts, he is a Skald. And a true Skald
of the North, reputed to have the power to manage mighty works
and curses with his songs. There are even some who swear High
Captain Song is but one of the many aliases used by Loki
Skywalker when he is abroad. The truth of things is more
mundane, but now legends are spoken of the Captain beyond those
of his own making. The damnable thing is some of them are
actually true, but he keeps his own counsel as to which is
which.
So it comes to pass that the High Captain is, today, wandering
the marketplace with a drum on his side and a song on his lips.
Nominally he is there to amuse the passersby. in truth, he is
there listening for rumors and news that might be of benefit to
any of his enterprises - commerce or storytelling.
Rhae
The Cafe was surprisingly crowded with people as I went up to
the counter The scent of blackwyne was enticing but gave bitter
taste to me in more ways then one. " I'll take a spiced tea, in
a mug not those tiny cups. The Woman nodded " Anything else?
Cream in it and I'll take 3 of those skewers." Nodding to the
roasting skewers of meat one of the girls was grilling. The
woman nodded and went to get the order ready. As she did I
looked around the cafe to see what seating was available.
Gunther of course off at the bake shop distracted by Isolde as
always I mused. The woman brought the order over and slid the
plate and mug across the counter as I paid the woman. " thank
you."
Weaving through the tables I found a quiet one off to the side.
Nodding to familiar faces with a warm smile as I went to go and
sit down sipping the hot tea as I sat down. Pulling pieces of
meat off one of the skewers I popped the tender seasoned pieces
into my mouth. As my gaze drifted around the room.
Frode
The crowds in the market are not quite so crowdsome this morning
as they might be. After an ahn of drumming the Skald considers
that a bit of blackwine might perk him up and keep him going
until evesong, when the tavern crowds will be ready for him to
ply his trade. So he makes his way to the cafe and is astonished
to find the streets here packed and crowded. Still, he is used
to such mobs, and sets about wheeling and winding his way
through the crowd until he can find a way to slip in through the
door and see if there is some friendly folk willing to share a
table with a long lost friend. (It's not impossible. He is
pretty well known most places. And some of those places even
like him!)
Rhae
I nodded as you came into the cafe. Having not seen you in some
time. Since the honey harvest I thought a few moons back. I had
to wonder how my Sister Mal was." Tal Frode...how are you
faring?" Taking a draw from my mug of tea.
Frode
Aha! Fortune smiles upon the skald. Or something does, anyway.
He spies the mead-maker almost as quickly as she spies him, for
he is far more obvious a sight and putting more effort into
finding welcome company. He winds his way over to the table,
deftly avoiding bumping into a scurrying slavegirl. He takes the
words as open invitation to join her and grabs a vacant seat.
"Oh, busy, busy, busy.... Work takes up more of my time than
you'd think for one who makes his living as a player. And how
are you?"
Rhae
I had to smile as you slid into the seat across from me." I am
good. I am good. I have Dad and his new mate staying with us for
a bit. How are you and my Sister doing? I haven't seen the two
of you since I came for the honey. Anything new on the island?"
Frode
"I'm the wrong person to ask. It seem so long since I've been
there," he admits. "Council business has kept Malora busy and
we've yet to make it home since Sardar Fair ended. And I've been
busy tending to everything else. This rare for us to get any
time together, I fear, but the business from the shop is going
great." His smile is faint but his eyes tell a different story,
though he'll not admit he misses the simpler times when there
was one ship and no shop and he had more freedom to be the
Singer without worrying about the business of commerce and
Captaining.
Rhae
I had not missed the look on your face. "Everything really
alright?" I knew how hard it was at times to be a merchant
especially when running a shop .: Have you ever thought to have
Del trade your wares to free you up some? I have had a shop in
the village I live in but have hired a woman to run it and the
rest of my sales I tend to have merchants who travel a fair bit
trade on my behalf for a cut of the profit. It works well,
allowing me a little more freedom. You have always been one to
roam more tied down to the market this way I know I couldn't do
it ..." spoke honestly" Just a thought"
Frode
"Oh, there's no problem on that regard. We have Katrina and
Acteaon managing things most of the time and they do well.," he
says. "I don't feel the need to hang around the market to keep
them honest. But roaming doesn't hold the attractions it once
did without Mal by my side and she's anchored in one port now."
It was the cruel irony - with Malora's freedom came
responsibilities for them both and we were less free than ever,
in different ways. There were times he often thought of
collaring his mate again, sailing off into the sunset, and
exploring whatever lay on the far side of Gor. Not that he'd
voiced such thoughts to anyone, for it would imply he was less
than happy. That was not the case. But he was.... discontent
might be the word for it.
He glanced around the room and spied a few familiar faces from
North. His eyebrows raised as he saw one blonde slave and
thought for a moment she looked like a Panther he knew once upon
a time. He'd predicted a curse upon those who kept her collared
and he'd heard rumor of that merchant's downfall and hurried
departure from his city. There was a story there, to be sure,
but he would learn it later. And if it was who he thought it
was, he might well laugh at the irony.
Rhae
I looked to you curiously over my cup of tea taking a long draw
from the cup." Why is she anchored to one port?" My features
curious as I had not seen Mal in some time so was not up on what
had been going on with her of late. Even when talking with
Squiggy he had not said much of the Island or Mal when I had
asked. " And you know if there is anything I can do to help let
me know. And I am sure that Squiggy would help in whatever you
and Mal needed as well."
Frode
"Council business," he says with shocking brevity. "And she's
not said much to me about any of it either, save there may have
to be a conclave on the island of the whole Council shortly to
discuss something."
Rhae
I looked to you curiously over my cup of tea taking a long draw
from the cup." Why is she anchored to one port?" My features
curious as I had not seen Mal in some time so was not up on what
had been going on with her of late. Even when talking with
Squiggy he had not said much of the Island or Mal when I had
asked. " And you know if there is anything I can do to help let
me know. And I am sure that Squiggy would help in whatever you
and Mal needed as well."
Rhae
Finishing off my tea I rose to my feet. " I need to head out.
You know where to find me or my Father if you need anything.
Just be sure to bundle up as its still pretty cold to the north"
Slipping my bag onto my shoulder. " Take care of yourself hmm
and my Sister."
Frode
"Oh, there is no doubt of that," Frode says with a smile as he
waves you off. Of course seeing that tea reminds him of the
Blackwyne that brought him here in the first place.
*****************************************************